Railway switch joint



March 4, 1952 Filed Feb 16, 1951 w. G. MORRIS 2,588,148

RAILWAY SWITCH J OINT 2 SHEETS\SHEEIIT 1 a a 2 o 1-,;

I v 37- i 1g INVENTQR WzZ/idm QMorrw w k/w gw ATTORNEYS March 1952 w. G. MORRIS 2,588,148

RAILWAY SWITCH JOINT Filed Feb. 16, 1951 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 INVENTOR WIYZidJT: 6.1101??? ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to an improved safety device for railway switch joints and the like such as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,397,427. March 26, 1946.

Heretofore, railway switch stands have had their operating shafts each provided with a lug or arm operatively connected to the adjacent end of a' switch joint by a single bolt or pin. Should this bolt break or fall out, it might cause 'derailment of the train with probable loss of life and serious damage to freight and equipment.

Accordingly, an important object is to provide an improved railway switch joint for connecting the switch rod to the o erating shaft by means including a pair of spa (1 bolts or pins so connected that in the event one bolt becomes defective or breaks, the other will maintain a pivotal connection between the parts until the damage is detected and repaired.

A further object consists in providing the operating shaft of the switch stand with an axially adjustable tubular member having a pair of spaced lugs that extend outwardly from one side thereof and with which are associated a pair of complementary formed arms positioned in overshaft so that in the event one of the bolts breaks the other bolt will maintain the pivotal connection and prevent the switch from being inadvertently moved.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following de-.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially" along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail side view of the operating shaft showing separate tubular members and lugs for connecting the operating shaft with the.

switch rod.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a further modification.

Figure 6 is a detail end view of one end of connecting the rod to the operating shaft.

a switch rod showing spaced means for pivotally Figure 7 is a modification of Figure 6 with one of the retaining means or bolts shown in dotted lines and removed from the rod.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Figure 1 with the switch casing removed.

Figure 9 is a detail plan view showing the switch rod and its associated parts in different positions relative to the operating shaft.

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view of a modified form of the invention, and

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line |lll of Figure 10.

Referring to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts in the several views,

Hi designates the main track rails, II the rails of a switch track and I2, the switch points transversely movable to control the connection of the main line to a siding. The rails are supported on the spaced ties l3 and a pair of these ties preferably have laterally extending portions I4 projected from one side of the track. A transversely disposed movable switch point tie bar I5 preferably similar to the structure shown in my Patent No. 2,397,427, extends beneath the rails and between the portions It. Spaced rail plates or straps I6 are preferably secured to the top of the bar l5 by two rivets or the like ll. The plates I6 have vertically offset arms [8 to which are mounted angle members [9 as at 20. The members [9 are, in turn, connected as at 20' to the switch points I 2 so as to move the same towards and away from the track l0 upon longitudinal displacement of the tie bar l5. A reinforcing or auxiliary tie bar 2| spaced from the tie bar l5 may be connected to the switch track rails II as at 22 so as to strengthen the same.

The outer ends of each of the tie bars I5 are formed with a pair of vertical openings orbolt holes 23 and 24 and one of these ends is connected to the switch rod 25 (Fig. 1) by a pair of longitudinally spaced bolts 26 and 27 to provide a two-bolt connection in a manner similar to the rail switch joint disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,397,427. The opposite end of the switch rod 25 is preferably formed with integral parallel spaced longitudinally extending arms 28 and 29 (Fig. 6) that may be closed at their outer ends by a vertioal web or side 36 having an ofiset or reduced inner shoulder portion 3| (Fig. 3). The web or cross side 30 prevents separation of the arms 28 and 29 and thus tends to reinforce the switch rod 25.

A switch stand 32 (Fig. 1), mounted between the extensions I4 of the rails, is supported by a transverse base member 33 shaped as shown in Figure 8 and connected at its ends to the extensions [4 in any suitable manner such as by the bolts 34. A vertically disposed operating shaft 35 is rotatably mounted in the stand 32 and has its lower end portion 36 extending through an opening in the base member 33 so as to project below the same. A gear and pinion assembly 31 is mounted in the switch stand 32 and is operatively connected to the shaft 35. A manually operating switch lever 38 is connected to the gear assembly through a shaft 39 so as to be swung from its full line position as shown in Figure 1 to its dotted line position, in order to impart rotary movement to the vertical shaft 35 and cause the switch rod 35 to be moved from its dotted line position (Fig. 3) to its full line position so as to close the switch to the siding rails II. The lower end portion 36 of the shaft 35 (Fig. 8) is preferably formed with a square or polygonal portion 45 for receiving a tubular member or sleeve 4i, and which may be locked in a fixed adjusted axial position thereon by a pair,

of spaced locking bolts 42 and the cotter pins 42'. The tubular member 4| has extending outwardly from one side thereof, a pair of parallel spaced upper and lower integral lugs 43 and 44, respectively. The arms 28 and 29 of the switch rod are arranged to interfit and be pivotally connected to the lugs 43 and 44 by retaining bolts or pins which may be initially carried by either the arms or the lugs. As shown in Figure 2, the spaced arms 43 and 44 are provided with vertically aligned openings through which extend the bolts 45 and 45 which register with complementary formed openings 41 in the upper and lower arms 28 and 29, respectively, of the switch rod 25 so as to be pivotally connected thereto normally at an angle (Fig. 1) so as to cause actuation of the rod 25 and the switch points l2 when the shaft 35 is rotated by the manual operation of the lever 38. Each of the bolts 45 and 41 may be fixed to its associated lug in any suitable manner such as by a cotter pin or the like 48. It will be noted that the lower end extension 36 of the shaft 35 terminates short of the ground and that the arms 28 and 29 with the closed side 30 provide a looped end portion for the switch rod 25 that receives the lug 43, while the lug 44 is positioned below the arm 29 (Fig. 2). The pivotal connection of the lugs 43 and 44 with the arms 28 and 29 by the bolts is normally positioned beneath and concealed by the base 33 (Fig. 2). Assuming that the parts are in their assembled position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 9, if it is desired to disconnect the tie bar I5 from the operating shaft 35, the bolts 26 and 21 are first removed so as to disconnect the switch bar 25 from the tie bar IS, the operating shaft 35 is then rotated clockwise so that the outer end of the lugs 43 and 44 clear the base or plate member 33 and the switch bar 25 is positioned as shown in full lines in Figure 9 in order that the looped end thereof may be disconnected from the retaining pins 45 and 46. Conversely, the switch bar 25 is connected to the operating shaft 35 by reversal of the same operation. The sides of the upper lug 43 may be provided with notches 49 (Fig. 3) arranged to abut against the opposed walls of the side or end wall 36 and the rod 25 when the arms 28 and 29 are swung about their pivots into abutting engagement with the said arms.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4, the operating shaft 35 is provided with the polygonal lower end portion 40 and instead of the tubular member being formed in one piece, as previously described, it comprises an upper tubular member 50 having a lateral lug 5! which has extending upwardly therefrom, a retaining bolt or pin 52. The member 50 is maintained in a fixed adjusted axial position on the end portion 36 by a bolt 53 and a cotter pin similar to pin 42, previously described. Spaced from the tubular member 50 is a lower tubular member 54 having a lug 55 parallel to the lug 5| and provided with an upstanding bolt 56. The bolts 52 and 56 may be detachably connected to their respective lugs by bolts 51 and cotter pins. The lower tubular member 54 is maintained in a fixed position on the lower portion 35 of the rotatable shaft 35 by a bolt 58 and a cotter pin and is spaced from the upper tubular member 50 by a washer 59. The spaced bolts 52 and 56 are arranged to extend through vertically aligned openings in the arms 28 and 29 of the switch rod 25 in substantially the same manner as previously described, so that rotation of the shaft 35 will impart 1ongitudinal movement to the angularly disposed switch rod 25 and transverse movement of the switch points l2 relative to the track iii.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the operating shaft 35 has its lower polygonal portion 35 non-rotatably connected to a pair of tubular members 50 and 6| by the spaced bolts 62 and the tubular members have extending outwardly from one side thereof, the spaced lugs or cars 53 provided with vertically aligned openings into which extend the axially spaced retaining bolts or pins I and 55. A switch rod 66 has its end 61 provided with a slot 68 of such a width as to extend between the lugs 63. The bolts 64 and 65 are arranged to project in opposite directions through aligned openings 69 in the bifurcated end 51 of the rod 66 and the opening 68 constitutes a window for permitting inspection when the parts are assembled so as to readily ascertain whether or not one of the bolts is broken or defective.

The bolts may be removably connected to the arms and lugs by pins or may be welded or otherwise secured in position. In Figure '7, the looped or bifurcated end 16 of the switch rod H has its upper arm '12 provided with a removable retaining bolt or pin 13 and its lower arm 14 having a fixed bolt 15 which extends in the same direction as the bolt '13 and is in substantially vertical alignment therewith. These bolts are arranged to be pivotally connected to complementary lugs connected either directly or by one or more tubular members to the operating shaft so that upon actuation of the latter movement is imparted to the switch points of the track,

When the bolts are supported or initially carried by the lugs on the tubular member, the switch rod 25 can be reversed or positioned on either side of the stand 35 and be connected to the tubular member without requiring any alteration to the parts of the switching mechanism. However, when the bolts are supported by the arms of the switch rod, it will be necessary, in order to reverse or locate the joint on the opposite side of the switch stand, to position a pin in the bottom arm of the yoke or in the opposite yoke arm. It will be seen that the bolts or pins for connecting the rod 25 to the operating shaft 35 may extend upwardly in the same direction or in opposite directions and may be initially carried by either the lugs on the tubular members or the arms on the switch rod. However, when one bolt or both the bolts are supported by the arms on the switch rod, the latter is not re-. versible and left and right switch rods will have to be provided in order to reverse the switch.

Thus. it will be seen that simple, efficient and positive means are provided comprising a twobolt connection of the switch rod with the rotatable operating shaft that insures the parts remaining operative in the event one of the bolts is broken or becomes defective. Moreover, as the bolts in the lower arms and lugs are positioned close to the ground when the switch is assembled (Fig. 8), they cannot easily fall out and should the upper lug be disconnected, it will not interfere with the operation of the switch mechanism. By reason of the novel arrangement of the vertically spaced bolts carried by either the switch rod or the tubular member on the operating shaft, it will be seen that the parts are subjected to a minimum amount of friction and less wear than devices of this character, as previously constructed. While the tubular members are axially slidable on the operating shaft, they are separately maintained in a non-rotatable position thereon so as to insure efficient operation of the switch assembly. It will be noted that the lower end extension 36 of the shaft 35 extends below the base 23 and therefore is of longer length than the normal shaft associated with the switch stand. The switch rod or operable member 25 is connected through the switch assembly or coupling to the shaft or operating member 35 at a point below the base stand and in such a manner that normally the base conceals the lugs oi the tubular member so that the latter has to be moved to a position to expose the lug by first disconnecting the switch rod from the tie bar before the switch rod can be connected to the tubular member or removed therefrom.

In the modification shown in Figures 10 and 11, the operating shaft 35 has its lower end portion 36 provided with a polygonal shaped surface 40 and positioned so as to extend below the base 33 in the manner as previously described. Additionally, vertically spaced bolts are each threaded at one end as at 11 so as to extend through openings in the lower end 36 of the shaft 35 and be detachably connected thereto by a nut 18 and a cotter pin or the like 19. The outer ends of the bolts 16 have loops 80 which are arranged to fit within slots 8| formed in the bifurcated arms 82 of the switch bar 83 that at its opposite end is connected, in a manner previously described, to a tie bar 15. Each of the recesses 8| forms with its associated arm 82 spaced lugs 84 having vertical openings for receiving the threaded retaining bolts 85 and 86, respectively. which are secured in position by the nuts 81 and cotter pins 88. The bolts 85 and 86 are inserted from the outside of the structure while the cotter pins are positioned from the inside. When the parts are assembled, the loops are positioned within the recesses BI and are retained in fixed position therein by the bolts and 86 so that, in the event one of the bolts should become defective or break, the other maintains the operative connection of the shaft 35 with the switch bar 83. The bolts 16 are detachably connected to the switch bar 83 in substantially the same manner as the switch bar 25, so that, before the bolts can either be connected or disconnected from the switch bar, it is first necessary to rotate the shaft 35 clockwise in order that the loops will be exposed and clear the base member 33.

The forms of the invention shown are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and it will be manifest that such changes may be made thereto as come within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

In a railway switch operating mechanism a movable switch track, a switch rod connected to said track for actuating the same, said rod having at one end a pair of vertically spaced arms, a switch stand having a vertically disposed rotatable operating shaft provided with a lower end portion projection below the switch stand, said lower end portion of the operating shaft having a pair of axially spaced lugs, each of said lugs arranged to overlap a corresponding arm on said movable switch rod, separate pivot means connecting each overlap lug and arm of the pair so that in the event one of the pivot means becomes defective the other pivot means prevents the separation of the switch rod from the shaft, and means for detachably connecting the arms and lugs to'said switch rod and operating shaft, the pivotal connection of said arms and lugs normally being positioned under the stand, to prevent the removal of the arms from the lugs, said arms and lugs when swung outwardly to clear the stand being detachable from each other.

WILLIAM G. MORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,373,031 Strom et al Mar. 29, 1921 2,139,094 Opolo Dec. 6, 1938 2,175,593 Bone Oct. 10, 1939 2,397,427 Morris Mar. 26, 1946 2,422,001 Durbin June 10, 1947 

